Cerumen trap for hearing aids

ABSTRACT

A cerumen trap for hearing aids comprises a sound channel and a plurality of perforations arranged in a stellate pattern around the sound channel which connect the sound outlet of an earpiece with the sound channel. A cylindrical component (1) with a connecting piece (3) which surrounds the sound channel can be inserted in the hearing aid. A number of angle brackets (4) with locking detents (5) are arranged on the periphery of the component (1). The sound outlet opening (2) can be closed off from the exterior by a cap (7) which has a locking groove (8) on the inner wall and which engages with the locking detents (5).

The invention relates to a cerumen trap for hearing aids in accordancewith the general definition of patent claim 1.

Such cerumen traps are already known. For example, DE - B 1 259 951describes a hearing aid with a protective device to prevent ingress ofcerumen into the inside of the hearing aid. For this purpose, a U-shapedcomponent is fitted in the sound outlet channel of the hearing devicewhich possesses two lateral sound perforations. The component possessesa base into which the lug of a cover which covers the sound outlet tothe outside is engaged. On its inner side, the cover possesses fourmutually offset webs which form the sound outlet of the device inconjunction with the perforations. In this arrangement, cerumen canstill penetrate into the sound outlets at the side. If the cerumenpressure becomes too great, the cover is pressed onto the elastic bodyof the hearing aid to such an extent that the sound outlet is closedoff.

The task of the invention is to create a cerumen trap of the typementioned at the start where ingress of cerumen is prevented with a highdegree of reliability, whereby closing of the sound outlet at a highcerumen pressure is avoided, while the still necessary cleaning of thecerumen trap is facilitated.

This task on which the invention is based is solved in accordance withthe characteristics of patent claim 1.

Refer to the other claims for additional characteristics of theinvention.

The invention will now be explained in more detail on the basis of anexample realization in conjunction with the enclosed figures.

The figures show:

FIG. 1 a highly magnified schematic side depiction of the cylindricalcomponent for a cerumen trap;

FIG. 2 a top view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 a section view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 a cap, seen from above,

FIG. 5 a section view of the cap shown in FIG. 4 and

FIG. 6A and 6B the whole cerumen trap in two different views.

The cerumen trap shown in the figures is shown in extremely magnifiedform. In reality, it possesses an overall diameter of just under 4 mm.

FIG. 1 shows the cylindrical component 1 which can be fitted in ahearing aid or otoplastic device. The cylindrical component possesses anapproximately 1.2 mm long connection piece 3 at one of its ends. Ofcourse, these dimensions must not be seen as restrictive in any way.

As can be clearly seen from FIG. 1 in conjunction with FIG. 2, thecomponent 1 possesses several, e.g. four, angle pieces or angle bracketsfor 4 adjoining the connection piece. Of course, there may be also only3 or more than 4 of these. These angle pieces are arranged uniformlyaround the periphery of component 1.

The angle pieces possess locking noses or locking detents 5 at their topend, while a horizontal base section 6 is provided at the bottom endwhose importance will be explained below.

FIG. 3 shows a section through this component 1.

The cap 7 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 can be fitted on this component. Forthis purpose, the cap 7 possesses a preferably, but, not necessarily,circular all-round locking groove 8 on its internal vertical surface forthis purpose with the radially projecting locking detents 5 fitting intothe locking groove 8.

The new cerumen trap is shown in a partially sectional side view and ina top view in FIGS. 6A and 6B. It is possible to clearly see that ahollow cavity 9 exists between the top edge of component 1 and thebottom side of the cap 7. The sound outlet path is clearly shown by thearrows drawn in both figures.

If the distances between the individual angle pieces 4 and the size ofthe hollow cavity 9 are chosen appropriately, it is possible to achievea desired resonance behavior in the hearing device outlet.

In addition, it is possible to see that the size of the hollow cavity 9can be varied to a small extent by appropriately choosing the dimensionsof the angle pieces and locking noses or the location of the lockinggroove in the cap 7.

Furthermore, it is evident that the ingress of cerumen is reliablyprevented in this new arrangement by the side walls of the cap 7projecting over the base parts 6 of the angle pieces.

This cerumen trap is extremely easy to clean, since the cap can beeasily removed. Nevertheless, the cap is normally seated sufficientlytightly on the cylindrical component, because the locking nose 4 engagedin the locking groove 8 of cap 7 achieves a clamping effect inconjunction with the bearing contact of the cap edge on the base part 6of the angle pieces 4.

The invention can also be realized by a mechanical reversal. Component 1would then be smooth on its surface facing the auditory canal and wouldhave a locking groove on its external surface. The cap 7 would thenpossess a number of locking noses in conjunction with an identicalnumber of spacer pieces on its inner wall. These would then also notjust prevent the cap from being inserted too deeply but would also exerta clamping force.

I claim:
 1. In a cerumen trap for hearing aids having a sound outletchannel, said cerumen trap comprising a component (1) insertable in thesound outlet channel, a cap (7) fitted on said component and covering anaxial sound outlet opening (2) of the trap and said trap comprisingseveral sound passages, the improvement wherein said component (1) iscylindrical and includes a connecting piece (3) surrounding the axialsound outlet opening (2), a number of circumferentially spaced anglebrackets, with radially projecting bracket locking detents (5) and basesections (6) projecting radially outwards of the outer peripherythereof, said cap (7) covering the sound outlet opening (2) of component(1) includes a locking groove (8) on a vertical inner peripheral wallthereof engageably receiving the locking detents (5) of the anglebrackets (4) and said detents seating on base sections of said anglebrackets with brackets (10) forming between the angle brackets and thecap (7) and constituting said sound passages.
 2. Cerumen trap forhearing aids in accordance with claim 1, wherein the locking detents (5)are arranged at the top end of the angle brackets (4) and said cap (7)rests on the base sections (6) and forms a hollow cavity (9) togetherwith component (1).
 3. Cerumen trap in accordance with claim 2, whereinthe cap fitted on the cylindrical component forms a resonance chambertogether with said hollow cavity acting in conjunction with the soundpassages (10) between the angle brackets (4).
 4. Cerumen trap inaccordance with claim 3, characterized in that the angle brackets (4)are arranged at equal distances from each other around the periphery ofthe component (1).